India’s election panel has directed the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition Congress to exercise restraint in their campaigns, following mutual accusations of making divisive speeches during the ongoing election. The panel found the defenses for speeches by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi “not tenable” and issued notices to the presidents of both parties.
The BJP accused Gandhi of making inflammatory remarks about religion, caste, and linguistic issues, while Congress alleged that Modi sought votes on religious lines, claiming that Congress would redistribute wealth from Hindus to Muslims. Modi later denied targeting Muslims, and Congress denied any promise of wealth redistribution.
As India conducts its seven-phase election with votes to be counted on June 4, the commission has instructed both parties to avoid campaigning on religious or communal grounds. It highlighted concerns over continued divisive rhetoric and reminded both parties to adhere to the election Model Code of Conduct.
The BJP also accused Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Gandhi of fostering enmity among disadvantaged Hindu and tribal groups, suggesting the BJP would abolish the constitution if victorious. The commission warned Congress against creating false impressions about the constitution.
India, with roughly 1.4 billion people, is predominantly Hindu (80%) but also hosts the world’s third-largest Muslim population, around 200 million. The commission’s actions underscore the importance of maintaining a fair and unbiased election process in the world’s largest democracy.
